A girl aged 14 was marched off a bus and left crying at the side of the road by ticket inspectors following a mix-up with her Oyster card that left her 30p short.

Beth Cole says she was made to feel like a criminal, and her parents have complained to Boris Johnson, claiming the inspectors’ “bullyboy” tactics are putting vulnerable girls at risk.

The teenager, from Brockley, had lost her Zip Oyster photocard, which entitles children to free bus travel. She reported the loss to Transport for London, and was told a replacement could take up to 10 days, so in the meantime she should use one of her parents’ Oyster cards.

But she had not topped the card up with enough money to cover the £2.30 cost of her journey on the 466 bus from Coloma Convent Girls’ School in Croydon to East Croydon station.

When a team of TfL inspectors arrived to check tickets, she was forced off the bus, issued with a £80 penalty fare notice and had the Oyster card confiscated.

Beth said: “It was horrible. I thought they were going to call the police and arrest me. It was a genuine mistake but they wouldn’t listen to me. A woman on the bus even offered to make up the difference in the fare but the inspectors wouldn’t let her.

“I was really upset and humiliated. They gave me a permit so I could get on the next bus and get home, but I felt they acted like bullies.”

Her father Robert, a journalist, said: “When Beth phoned she was so upset she could barely speak. I thought she’d been mugged or attacked. She’s a very level-headed girl who looks her age and is entitled to free travel. If this was her 50th ticket offence I might understand it, but she hadn’t done anything wrong.

“She was left in a very vulnerable position. I dread to think what might have happened if it had been someone less sensible or mature.”

Mr Cole complained to TfL and the Mayor’s office about his daughter’s treatment but has only received automated emails acknowledging his letters.

Beth boarded the bus at about 4.45pm and had only gone a few stops when the inspectors got on. There was £2 on the card but the fare was £2.30.

A TfL spokesman said: “If someone doesn’t have a valid ticket for their journey they are liable for a penalty fare, and children must have their Zip cards with them at all times.

“People are taken off the bus so as not to hold up the service for other passengers, and they are issued with a permit so they can get home. Inspectors are completely professional and polite at all times.”